Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 40

“I’m fine,” I lie, the words hollow and brittle as they fall from my lips. “You should get Max home. He’d be due for his dinner.” My voice wavers, betraying my feigned strength.

Soren’s gaze pierces through me, seeing past the facade I’ve erected. His eyes, deep pools of concern, search my face for the truth I try so desperately to hide. “I’m not leaving you like this,” he insists.

“Let me drive you home,” he continues, his tone brooking no argument yet laced with an empathy that fractures my resolve.

“I…” I start, but the words tangle, caught between pride and despair. Soren’s steady gaze holds mine, offering silent support. He doesn’t push, doesn’t demand. He simply waits for me to agree. H emotions for Max who rushes toward us, Soren instantly scoops him up.

Then Soren’s hand finds mine in the darkness, warm and steady, an anchor in the storm that rages inside my soul. I stumble slightly on the gravel, my legs shaky, my heart a broken compass in a world suddenly devoid of direction. Without a word, he guides me to his sleek black sedan parked under the orange glow of the streetlight.

His touch is gentle but firm before he lets go, buckling Max into his seat. He motions toward the passenger door and opens it for me. I sigh but slide into the vehicle, the leather seats cool against my skin and he climbs into the driver’s seat. The engine purrs to life, a soft vibration that seems to mock

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the silence between us. I draw in a shuddering breath, my eyes fixed on the passing scenery–a blur of shadows and light that mirrors the turmoil within me.

The only sound is the hum of the engine and the occasional sniffle that I can’t suppress. Soren doesn’t speak, which I am thankful for. Words are pointless; they’re just echoes of a pain too profound to articulate.

We pull up to my house, and I realize now everything has changed. And as I sit beside Soren, this man who carries the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders yet offers me solace in my darkest hour, I understand that nothing will ever be the same again.

blood in my ears. “For everything.” I reach for the

firm. His gaze

gone, what do I do? I can’t stay here, she was my excuse for being here, I can’t register with the council and now I know I will be asked to leave.

fine,” I whisper, more to myself than to King Soren. But his fingers curl around mine, a vise of warmth

really–I-” My words falter, breath catching in a

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Chapter 40

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like an anchor in a sea of sorrow. “Bree, you don’t have to

despite the pack, the familiar scents of pine and earth that should signify home. Betrayal lingers in

it’s what I’m used to,” I choke out, each word a shard of glass scraping its way up my throat. The loneliness isn’t new; it’s a shadow that’s followed

my grief. With one last glance at

Soren,” I whisper to the empty space where he once stood. And then I turn toward

gravel underfoot crunching like bones in the heavy silence. The night air wraps around me, cold and unforgiving as the truth that claws at my insides. A shiver races across my skin,

see you soon,” I choke out, my voice a tangle of grief and resolve. Max’s big, tear–filled eyes lock onto mine, and I muster a half smile

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